rinse and repeat -- the sounding joy

Yep, ground zero in our city. Since March 30th we’ve been in lockdown. 

We can’t go outside of our housing complex, which we can walk around in less than 15 minutes. We can’t order food, except from designated sellers. Now food-buying and delivery is restricted to group-buying on social media. We can’t touch the food or packages that have been delivered unless they’ve first been bathed in bleach. We’re all breathing a lot of chemical disinfectants these days (think burning eyes and coughing inside our house). Yet classes continue online, and our students bring us joy in class and when we review their video projects. We laugh with them and prod them toward assiduousness when needed. 

Students are tired of online classes, we can tell. But many remain enthusiastic and avid learners. Harry, a freshman in class 2, is from the south and has a heavy accent. She’s been practicing her English daily using a software program. She recently earned a perfect score on her “Search the House” exam and said, “I was surprised that I finally got a hundred points in my spoken English. Thank you, teachers.” For this, we are blessed and grateful! Thanks for praying with us that the people of our community, our students and colleagues will have provision, peace and wisdom and continue to help the students learn.

After two cases of the virus were found in our housing complex, we were barred from heading to an MRI appointment that K had and told to return to our home. Thus, the race began to find, contain and eliminate the virus. Today, April 15, was the first day that no new cases were found. Usually, lockdowns end in various stages 14 days AFTER no new cases can be found. (There have been very few cases in our city – less than 20 have been reported.) Community leaders continue to point people to the goal of zero cases so that they can be unsealed. 

Fortunately, we don’t live in the same building as the infected people in our complex, so our life has been less restricted. The people in that building were locked inside. (They finally were allowed outside into our housing complex 14 days later.) We, on the other hand, can walk around our complex sometimes, although it’s not encouraged, and enjoy the sun and marvel at the stars on a clear night. Our Creator gives us good things.

Of course, the first week of lockdown was chaotic, but everyone has settled into a routine by now. Our days continue to include virus tests between 6:30 and 8:30 am each day, classes and literally competing for food. Often the apps return the phrase “sold out.” The first week, we were the only community that was in lockdown and the government provided us with some veggies and fruit to help us get by. Then a couple dozen other communities were locked down. Finally, by April 13, the city was mostly on lockdown and private cars, buses and taxis were banned everywhere in our city (although people on the south side can have passes that allow one person per family to go out to buy food every other day). By April 14, the menu for food has improved. Group buying now includes more than veggies and fruits. Eggs, milk, tofu and oil, flour and rice have been added into the mix. Yet it’s difficult to meet demand. Mothers say they're eating less so their kids can have enough. Our colleagues say they have to try to buy something every day.

We got food the same day we were
down to a few veggies.

Traditionally, people here buy food daily, so no one really had food to last for very long. We had skipped our normal shopping day because of our doctor visits. Even our supplies were low. There is food, but logistics elude the masses. Food scarcity has been real, and it took two weeks before we finally felt comfortable eating a full meal and not “saving more for later.” Our college continues to help us with basic needs. It’s been challenging, but they’re always trying their best to help us. K missed her colonoscopy appointment and her back is still iffy, and there are moments of despair, but we are grateful that our community remains peaceful and we take it one day at a time. We’ve made new friends and helped others around the neighborhood. We’re keeping up with friends from around the country via an online English “word” study, which has been great. There continues to be meaningful things to do. Our Father is good and brings us joy and blessings in the moments. We did sing the song, “Leaving on a jet plane” for several days, but we’ve since moved onto other wishful tunes. 

We’re celebrating Resurrection Day with our sisters and brothers online and remembering the sacrifices of our Savior that give us the Hope that dwells within us. He is Risen! Thank you to everyone for continuing to encourage us, pray and share the love. May He be glorified in the midst of the challenges and may He provide what each of us needs.

Our sister Jenny has become quit the cook for daughter, Emma.

Always plenty of homework and exams to grade.

We can see about 8 students at a time online.

Our daily virus test behind our building is convenient.